Retainer device

ABSTRACT

A clutch-like device for gripping an article such as the end of a section of drill pipe, including a plate or similar movable means positioned to receive a part of the article to be gripped and be moved by such article to close gripping jaws or the like against the article. Resilient means is provided to disengage the gripping jaws when the pressure of the article against the plate or other movable means is removed.

O Umted States Patent 51 3,689,060 Hensley, Jr. Sept. 5, 1972 [54] RETAINER DEVICE 2,441,208 5/1948 Roeder ..269/133 X 72 I t z Burt H l Stone 1 men or j'g f f-'; g3 2,555,836 6/1951 Werich ..279/37 x [22] Filed: Aug. 19, 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] Appl. No.: 65,253 651,798 10/1928 France ..279/58 522,529 9/1953 Belgium ..279/33 Related U.S. Appllcation Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. N0. 527,400, Jan. Primary EmminerTherr 1 Condo 3, 1966, abandoned. AttorneyRalph R. Browning [52] U.S. Cl. ..269/217, 269/233, 81/57.l8, ABSTRACT Int Cl A clutch-like device for gripping an article such as the [58] Field okgrch 2697133 2i 33 310 end of a section of dllll p pe, mcludmg a plate or 81/53 2 279 S G 5 3 similar movable means positioned to receive a part of the article to be gripped and be moved by such article to close gripping jaws or the like against the article. Resilient means is provided to disengage the gripping [56] References cued jaws when the pressure of the article against the plate UNITED STATES PATENTS or other movable means is removed. 210,415 12/ 1878 29 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Gage ..279/33 Patented Sept. 5,1912 1 3,689,060

5 Sheets-sheaf 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Mal/M! fiulromiwszfz Pmmd Sept. 5,1912 3,689,060

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I Pabntod Sept. 5, 1912 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Saw-twee ATTORNEYS RETAINER DEVICE This invention relates to a retainer device for retaining an elongated member such as a drill pipe and more particularly to a retainer device adapted for use in the well drilling art in making up a drill string from a plurality of drill stems. This application is a continuation in part of my co-pending patent application, Ser. No. 527,400 filed Jan. 3, 1966, now abandoned.

In the well drilling art, drill strings generally are made up from a plurality of elongated drill stems, each having an elongated intermediate portion and enlarged or upset end mating portions, which are joined together in end to end relation. Commonly, in making up a drill string it has been the general practice in the art for a workman to hold a drill stem rigidly in position with a pair of tongs, while another drill stem is joined at one end thereof by a second workman. This practice has been found to be considerably time consuming, which increases the cost of such an operation. Furthermore, such practice has been found to be unsafe, in that the workman holding the drill stem in position is exposed constantly to possible injury caused by slipping drill stems or moving components of the make up rigging.

Accordingly, it is the general object of this invention to provide a novel retainer device suitable for gripping an elongated object such as a drill stem to hold it against rotation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel retainer device for such elongated articles which are to be joined together in end to end relation.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved retainer device for drill stems.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved retainer device adapted for use in the well drilling art in making up a drill string from a plurality of drill stems.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved retainer device suitable for holding a drill stem rigidly to permit another drill stem to be joined to an end thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel retainer device adapted for use in the well drilling art in making up a drill string from a plurality of drill stems which eliminates the need of a workman for holding a drill stem rigidly in position while another drill stem is joined thereto, as required in conventional practice. I

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel retainer device for joining drill stems in end to end relation, and which is safe tooperate.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved retainer device particularly adapted for use in the well drilling art, in making up a drill string from a plurality of drill stems, which is effective in reducing the normal time required in making up the drill string.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel retainer device for drill stems, which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and simple to operate.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention, having a portion thereof broken away, illustrated with a conventional derrick structure and a make up rigging for a drill string;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating a drill stem in the retainer device with the gripping elements thereof in ungripped position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3, illustrating a drill stern being gripped by the device;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, illustrating the components thereof in exploded relation;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention, illustrating the components thereof in exploded relation;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the second embodiment of the invention, illustrating a drill stem being retained therein;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment, similar to the view of FIG. 9 with the drill stem removed;

FIG. 1 l is a cross-sectional view taken along line l1-1l in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 11, illustrating the support means for the drill stem in the extended position;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment, similar to the view of FIG. 12, illustrating the support means for the drill stem in the retracted posi tion; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary top view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 13.

Briefly described, the present invention as illustrated in the drawingsrelates to a device for retaining an elongated article such as a drill stem generally including a supporting means, movable means engageable by an end portion of the article and mounted on the supporting means for gripping the article, the supporting means and the gripping means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon predetermined relative movement between the gripping means and the supporting means to move the the gripping elements of the gripping means into gripping engagement with the article and the predetermined relative movement being effected by the force of the weight of the article acting on the gripping means when the article engages the gripping means.

According to a more specific embodiment of the invention there is provided a retainer device for a drill stem, generally including a casing member having an elongated bore for receiving a drill stem therein, a movable carrier member disposed in the bore engageable by the stem received within the bore, the movable carrier member being resiliently supported within the bore, at least one gripping element mounted on the carrier member having a friction surface engageable with the drill stem received within the bore in gripping relation therewith and the casing member having a cam surface engageable by the gripping element operable to move the element into gripping engagement with the drill stern when the drill stem is inserted in the bore and moved toward an end thereof, engaging the carrier member.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a well casing 10, having a drill string 9 inserted therein, a conventional derrick structure 11 having a floor or platform 12 disposed above the well casing, a drill string make up rigging 13 having a drill stem 14 know as a Kelley joint suspended therefrom and a retainer device 15, rigidly secured to the derrick floor, preferably adjacent the well casing 10. Inserted in the retainer device 15 is a drill stem 16 to be joined to the suspended drill stem 14, having an upper enlarged internally threaded mating end 17 and a lower enlarged externally threaded mating end 18. The device 15 is provided with an elongated tubular casing member 19 sometimes called a mouse hole having an open upper end 20 and a closure assembly 21 mounted on the opposite lower end thereof.

The closure assembly 21 includes an annular mounting plate 22 and a tubular member 23 which is rigidly secured to the mounting plate around the central opening thereof and extends downwardly therefrom. The mounting plate 22 is provided with a plurality of openings 24 about the periphery thereof, which are adapted to receive a plurality of threaded stud elements 25 to secure the closure assembly 21 to the lower end of the tubular member 19. The mounting plate 22 is held against the lower edge of the tubular member 19 by means of a plurality of nuts 26 threaded on the lower ends of the stud elements 25 extending through the openings 24. The mounting plate 22 is provided with a circular opening 27 which is disposed coaxially with the tubular member 19. The tubular member 23 also is disposed coaxially with the tubular member 19 and is provided at its upper end with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 28 to provide access to the interior of the closure assembly for cleaning purposes.

Adapted to extend into the lower end of the tubular member 21 is a coaxially disposed tubular support member 29 which is internally threaded. Threaded into the lower end of the support member 29 is an adjusting bolt 30. The upper end of the bolt 30 serves as a seat for a spring member 31 which is received within the open upper end of the support member 29. The support member 29 is is provided with a plurality of radially extending arm members 32 which are adapted to be supported within slots 33 formed in a plurality of inwardly projecting lugs 34 rigidly mounted on the lower inner end'of the tubular member 23, as best illustrated in FIG. 5. It will be noted that the support member 29 with the adjusting bolt 30 and the spring 31 can be removed from the tubular member 23, merely by moving the support member 29 upwardly against the action of the spring member 31 a sufficient distance to clear the slots in the inwardly projecting lug members 34, rotating the support member 29 to clear the lug members and then lowering the support member 29 downwardly out of the tubular member 23. In addition, it will be noted that the tension on the spring member 31 can be adjusted merely by rotating the adjusting bolt 30.

Seated on the upper end of the spring member 31 and movable axially within the tubular member 19 is a carrier assembly 35. The carrier assembly 35 includes a pair of spaced circular plate members 36 and 37 which are maintained in spaced relation by means of a plurality of circumferentially disposed spacer elements 37a. The plate members 36 and 37 have a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the tubular member 19, and aligned openings 38 and 39 which are disposed coaxially with the tubular member 19. The diameters of the openings 38 and 39 are slightly larger than the lower enlarged or upset mating end of a drill stem to receive the same therethrough. Depending from the lower plate member 37 is a tubular section 40 having a diameter slightly less than the opening 27 in the mounting plate 22, and a lower end wall 41. The bottom surface of the end wall 41 is provided with a circular recess 42 which is engaged by the upper end of the spring member 31 for seating the carrier assembly 35 on the spring member. It will be noted that the lower end of the carrier assembly 35 including the tubular section 40, is adapted to extend downwardly through the opening 27 of the mounting plate 22 into the tubular member 23 of the closure assembly. In addition, it will be noted that the lower end of the drill stem 16 is adapted to be seated on the upper surface of the end wall 41.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the tubular member 19 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated guide members 43 which are parallel to the axis of the device. The upper and lower plate members 36 and 37 are provided with a plurality of aligned recesses 44 which are adapted to receive the guide members 43 therethrough. It will be appreciated that the axial movement of the carrier assembly 35 is guided by the guide members 43. In addition, the guide members 43 prevent the carrier assembly from rotating about its axis.

The plate members 36 and 37 also are provided with aligned recesses 45 disposed between the spacer elements 37a, which are adapted to receive therethrough a plurality of circumferentially spaced sets of guide members 46 carried on the inner surface of tubular member 19. Each set of guide members 46 includes spaced parallel guide elements 47 and 48 which are disposed at an angle relative to a plane lying normal to the axis of the device. The carrier assembly 35 also is provided with a plurality of gripping elements 49 which are pivotally connected on pins 50, between the plate members 36 and 37 for pivotal movement in a common plane disposed normal to the axis of the device. The inner ends of the gripping elements 49 extend within the circumference of the aligned openings 38 and 39 of the plate members 36 and 37, and the outer ends thereof project between the guide elements 47 and 48 of an adjacent set of guide members 42. The outer end of each gripping element 49 is engageable with the opposed surfaces of the guide elements 47 and 48 of a set of guide members 46, so that such surfaces will act as cams to pivot the gripping element 49 when the carrier assembly 35 is moved axially. The inner ends of the gripping elements 49 are provided with friction surfaces 51 which are adapted to engage the lower end of a drill stem inserted through the openings 38 and 39, seated on the end wall 41 of the carrier assembly.

The angle or contour of the guide elements 47 and 48 is selected so that when the carrier assembly 35 is seated on the spring member 31, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the gripping elements 49 are retracted to permit the lower end of a drill stem to be inserted through the openings 38 and 39 of the carrier assembly. In addition, the angle or contour of the guide elements 47 and 48 is selected, so that when the lower end of the drill stem 16 is inserted through the openings 38 and 39, seated on the end wall 41 and is permitted to move axially against the action of the spring member 31, the gripping elements 49 will pivot about pins 50 to engage the lower end of the drill stem in gripping relation, as shown in FIG. 4.

When the device is not in use, the carrier assembly 35 will be seated on the spring member 31, as illustrated in FIG. 2, with the gripping elements 49 in their retracted positions. When a drill stem is inserted into the device so that the lower end thereof extends through the openings 38 and 39, and is seated on the end wall 41 and is permitted to move axially downwardly against the action of the spring member 31, the guide elements 48 will cause the gripping elements 49 to pivot so that the inward ends thereof will engage the lower end of the drill stern in gripping relation to rigidly hold the same, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

With the drill stem in such a fixed position, a second drill stem may be joined to the upper end thereof. After the second drill stem has been joined to the upper end of the inserted drill stem, the rigidly held inserted drill stem may be released and removed from the device merely by removing the load of the now joined drill stems and permitting them to move axially upwardly so that the carrier assembly 35 is moved upwardly under the action of the spring member 35, whereby the outer ends of the gripping elements 49 engage the inner cam surface of the guide elements 47 of the guide members 46, thus causing the gripping elements 49 to rotate and retract out of engagement with the lower end of the lower drill stern section. The joined drill stem then can be lifted out of the device.

When the lower end of the drill stem 16 is first inserted in the device, it is centered therein by means of a centering member 52 which is disposed within the tubular member 19 above the carrier assembly 35. The centering member 52 is provided with an axial opening therein, including an upper conical section 53 and a lower cylindrical section 54.

As previously mentioned, the tension on the spring member 31 supporting the carrier member 35, can be adjusted merely by rotating the adjusting bolt 30.

It thus will be seen that a plurality of drill stems can be joined together in end to end relation to make up a drill stem string simply by loading the device with additional drill stern and repeating the above described procedure. The retaining feature of the device 15 eliminates the necessity of an additional workman standing by and holding the lower drill stem with a pair of tongs while the suspended drill stem is being joined to the upper end thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through 14 of the drawings, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention. The embodiment consists of a device 55 mountable on the upper end of a tubular casing 56 which is generally similar in construction and function as the tubular casing 19 illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The retainer device 55 is adapted to engage and hold an upper enlarged or upset mating end portion 57 of a drill stem 58 also having a lower enlarged or upset mating end portion similar to the end portion 57 and a reduced intermediate portion 59. The device generally includes a casing member 60, a coil spring 61, a carrier assembly 62, an actuating assembly 63, and a retainer ring 64. Y

The casing member 60 consists of an upper cylindrical section 65 and a lower cylindrical section 66 providing an annular shoulder 67. The lower cylindrical section 66 is provided with an outwardly projecting annular flange 68 which is adapted to be seated on an annular flange 69 disposed on the upper end of the casing member 56. The annular flange 68 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes 70 for securing the device 55 on the upper end of the casing member 56 in axial alignment therewith. The lower cylindrical section 66 also is provided with an inwardly projecting flange 71 providing an annular shoulder 72 for seating the lower end of the coil spring 61. The coil spring 61 has an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the lower cylindrical section 66 and is retained at its lower end on the annular shoulder 72 by means of an annular retaining member 73.

The interior of the upper cylindrical section 65 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated guide members 74, as best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 11, which are disposed parallel to the axis of the device and adapted to guide the carrier assembly 62 axially. Also provided on the interior of the cylindrical section 65 is a plurality of circumferentially spaced sets of guide members 75. Each set of guide members 75 includes spaced parallel guide members 76 and 77 which are disposed at an angle relative to a plane lying normal to the axis of the device. Each set of guide members 75 also is disposed between successive guide members 74, as best illustrated in FIG. 1 l.

The carrier assembly 62 is adapted to cooperate with the guide members 74 and 75, and includes a lower cylindrical member 78, a lower plate member 79, an upper plate member 80, a plurality of gripping elements 81, and a plurality of retractable support elements 82. The cylindrical member 78 substantially has the same diameter as the retaining member 73 of the casing member 60, and is received within the upper end of the coil spring 61.

The upper and lower plate members 79 and 80 are substantially similar in construction, each having a substantially annular configuration with axially aligned openings for receiving a drill stem therethrough. The lower plate member 79 is provided with an axial opening 83 and is secured to the upper end of the cylindrical member 78. It further is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially projecting portions 84, each projection being formed with a recess 85 for receiving a guide member 74 therethrough. Similarly, the upper plate member 80 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially projecting portions 86, each formed with a recess 87 disposed in alignment with a similar recess 85 in the lower plate member. The upper and lower plate members are maintained in spaced relation by means of U-shaped spacer members 88 aligned with the recesses 85 and 87, defining vertical guideways 89 for receiving guide members 74 therethrough. The upper plate member 80 further is provided with a circular opening 90 axially aligned with the opening 83 in the lower plate member 79 for receiving the drill stem 58 through the carrier assembly.

Disposed between successive spacer members 88 are a plurality of pivot pins 91 on which the gripping elements 81 are mounted for pivotal movement in a plane disposed normal to the axis of the device. The pivot pins 91 are mounted in aligned vertical openings in the upper and lower plate members 79 and 80, and permit the gripping elements to rotate freely in a common plane. The inner ends of the gripping elements 81 extend withing the circumference of the aligned openings 83 and 90 of the plate members 79 and 80, and the outer ends thereof project between the guide elements 76 and 77 of an adjacent set of guide members 75. The outer end of each gripping element 81 is engageable with the opposed surfaces of the guide elements 76 and 77 of a set of guide members 75, so that such surfaces act as cams to pivot the gripping element 81 when the carrier assembly 62 is moved axially.

The inner ends of the gripping elements 81 are provided with friction surfaces 92 having configurations of progressively increasing radii relative to the axes of the pivot pins 91, as best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 11. The friction surfaces 92 of the gripping elements are adapted to engage the upper end portion 57 of the drill stem 58, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. As best illustrated in FIG. 8, the configuration of the friction surfaces 92 of the gripping elements provides a wedging action when the gripping elements are pivoted into engagement with the end portion 57 of the drill stem.

Referring to FIGS. and l 1, the carrier assembly is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced housing sections 93, defining downwardly and inwardly projecting guideways 94 accommodating the support elements 82. The housing members 93 are disposed between the outer side of the cylindrical member 78 and the lower side of the lower plate member 79, and the guideways 94 communicate with aligned openings 95 in the cylindrical member 78 and openings 96 in the lower plate member 79. As best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, each of the support elements 82 is slidably disposed in a guideway 94 and may be moved downwardly to an extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 12, to project through the opening 95, and may be moved upwardly to a retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 13 so that the upper end of the support element is received within the opening 96 in the lower plate member 79.

Secured to the upper end of each support element 82 is a cable 97 which extends through the guideway 94, the opening 96, and through an opening 98 in the upper plate member 80. Each support element 82 is urged into its extended position by means of a tension spring 99 having the cable 97 extending therethrough and being interposed between the upper end of a support element 82 and the lower surface of the upper plate member 80. The extension of each support element 82 is limited by the engagement of a lower shoulder 100 of the support element with the lower edge of the opening 95 in the cylindrical member 78.

With the support elements 82 in their retracted positions, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the lower end portion of a drill stem is permitted to be inserted through the retainer device into the casing 56. After the lower end portion of the drill stem has passed through the retainer device, the support elements 82 may be extended to their positions as illustrated in FIG. 12, to engage the beveled portion 101 of the upper end portion 57 of the drill stem to support the drill stem in suspension within the retainer device and the casing member 56. The lowermost travel of the support elements 82 is adjusted to permit intermediate portion 59 of the drill stem to pass freely through the retainer device, but to engage the beveled portion 101 of the drill stem to provide a seat for the upper end portion of the drill stem. Under normal conditions, the tension springs 99 urge the support elements 82 into their extended positions, as illustrated in FIG. 12. However, upon manipulation of the actuating assembly 63, the support elements 82 may be moved to their retracted positions, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

The actuating assembly 63 includes an annular mounting member 102 seated on the upper plate member and secured thereto by means of a plurality of bolts 103, and an annular retainer member 104 which is mounted for rotation in an annular recess 105 provided in the outer surface of the mounting member 102. The retainer member 104 is provided with a pair of vertically disposed gripping pins 106 and 107 and a plurality of radially projecting retainer lugs 108. The pin members 106 and 107 provide manual gripping means for lifting the actuating assembly 63 and the carrier assembly 62 as a unit, and rotating the retainer member 104 to pull each of the support elements 82 in the retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 13. With the actuating assembly and carrier assembly in the raised position, and the retainer member 104 rotated to retract the support elements, the support elements may be retained in their retracted positions by seating the retainer lugs 108 on cooperating seats 109 provided on the upper ends of guide members 74, as best illustrated in FIG. 14.

From the above description, it will be noted that the carrier assembly 62 and the actuating assembly 63 are supported as a unit within the casing section 60 on the coil spring 61, providing an axial opening through which a drill stem may be inserted. The carrier and actuating assemblies are guided vertically along guide members 74, and the gripping elements 81 may be moved into and out of gripping relation with a drill stem supported on the carrier assembly by means of guide members 75, upon vertical movement of the carrier assembly. Furthermore, the actuating assembly 63 can be manipulated to retract the support elements 82 to permit passage of the lower end portion of a drill stem through the retainer device, or extend the support elements to engage the upper end portion of a drill stem when it is desired to support a drill stem in the device.

The angle or contour of the guide elements 76 and 77 is selected so that when the carrier assembly 62 is unloaded and seated on the coil spring 61, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the gripping elements 81 are retracted to permit the lower end of a drill stem to be inserted through the openings 83 and of the carrier assembly.

In addition, the angle or contour of the guide elements 76 and 77 is selected, so that when the upper end of the drill stem is inserted through the openings 83 and 90, seated on the support elements 82 and is permitted to move axially against the action of the coil spring 61, the gripping elements 81 will pivot about pins 91 to engage the upper end of the drill stem in gripping relation, as shown in FIG. 9.

In the use of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 14, in connecting a pair of drill stems together to make up a drill string, the pin members 106 and 107 are manually grasped and lifted to raise the retainer member 104 to a level above the seating elements 109 on the upper ends of the guide members 74. As the carrier assembly is thus moved upwardly, the assembly is guided along guide members 74 which prevent rotation of the assembly, and the outer ends of the gripping elements 81 cooperate with the sets of guide members 75 to move the inner portions thereof outwardly from within the circumference of openings 83 and 90. With the retainer member 104 positioned at a level above the seating elements 109, it may be rotated clockwise relative to FIG. 14, to seat the retainer lugs 108 on the seating elements 109. As the retainer member 104 is rotated, the cables 97 are pulled upwardly to retract the support elements 82 and load the tension springs 99, as illustrated in FIG. 13. The device is then ready for the insertion of a drill stem.

Normally, a hoisting device with a wireline attached thereto may be used to lower a drill stem through the retainer device into the casing member 56. After the lower end portion of the drill stem is passed through the retainer device 55, the pin members 106 and 107 are grasped to lift the retaining lugs off of the seating elements 109, and rotate the retainer member 104 counterclockwise and lower the carrier assembly in seating relation on the upper end of the coil spring 61. As the retainer member 104 is thus rotated, the cables 97 for the support elements are played out, thus permitting the support elements 82 to be extended through the openings 95 into the interior of the casing member 78, under the influence of the tension springs 99.

The yield strength of the coil spring 61 normally is sufficient to support the entire weight of the actuating assembly 63 and the carrier assembly 62, thus preventing further downward movement of the carrier assembly causing the gripping elements to pivot inwardly. However, upon passage of the reduced intermediate portion of the drill stem past the inner ends of the support elements 82 and the engagement of the bevel portion 101 of the drill stem with the upper ends of the support elements 82, the carrier assembly 62 will be caused to move downwardly against the action of the coil spring 61. Such additional downward movement will cause the outer ends of the gripping elements to cooperate with the sets of guide surfaces 75 to pivot the gripping elements and bring the friction surfaces 92 thereof into gripping relation with the upper end portion 57 of the drill stem, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Under such conditions, the weight of the drill stem would be sufficient to compress the coil spring 61, thus causing the carrier assembly to move downwardly and the gripping elements to engage the drill stem in gripping relation.

With the drill stem and carrier assembly in the position as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the gripping elements will grip the upper end portion 59 of the drill stem with sufficient force to permit a second drill stem to be lowered into the retainer device and threaded into the upper threaded opening 110 of the drill stem held in the device. As soon as the drill stems have been joined together, the joined drill stems are raised upwardly to unseat the beveled portion 101 of drill stem 58 from the support elements 82, thus removing the force of weight of the drill stem on the carrier assembly and permitting the loaded coil spring 61 to move the carrier assembly upwardly to a position as illustrated in FIG. 10. As the carrier assembly is moved upwardly under the action of the coil spring 61, the end portions of the gripping elements cooperate with the sets of guide members to pivot the gripping elements out of gripping engagement with the upper end portion 57 of the drill stem.

As the drill stem continues to be lifted out of the retainer device, the beveled portion of the lower upset end of the drill stem will engage and move the support elements into their retracted positions to permit the lower upset portion of the drill stem to pass through the retainer device. To replace the retainer device in condition to receive the next drill stem to be joined to the drill string, the pin members 106 and 107 are grasped and lifted to raise the retainer member 104 to a level above the level of the seating elements 109. When such level is reached, the retainer ring is rotated clockwise and lowered to permit the retainer lugs 108 to be seated on the seating elements 109. As this occurs, the cables 97 are drawn upwardly to move the support elements 82 upwardly into their retracted positions, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

The retainer device, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 14 either may be formed as a separate unit mountable on a string make up casing or may be formed as an integral part of the upper portion of the casing. The device also could be used without a make up casing by simply mounting the device on the working platform of the well drilling derrick.

Considering that the section surfaces 92 of the gripping elements 81 would become worn upon extensive usage, it is contemplated that each of the gripping elements 81 may be provided with replaceable bits. Such bits would be constructed of any suitable wear resistant material.

I claim:

1. A device for gripping an article and holding it against rotation comprising a supporting structure, carrier means carried by said supporting structure for receiving said article, anti-rotational gripping means carried on and movable relative to said carrier means, guiding means disposed to allow and restrict movement of the carrier means under the force of weight of said article along a predetermined path relative to the supporting structure, means operative to move the gripping means relative to the carrier means into and out of gripping position responsive to said movement of said carrier means relative to said supporting structure, and means operatively connected to said carrier means and operative upon removal of such article from said device to move said carrier means to a position such that said gripping means are in a non-gripping position and to maintain said carrier means in such position while no article is engaged in the device.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the said means for moving the gripping means into and out of gripping position are cam surfaces.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the supporting structure comprises a vertically disposed tubular member, and in which the article to be gripped and held against rotation is a pipe.

4. A device for retaining an article comprising guiding means, carrier means mounted for movement along said guiding means and engageable by said article to limit downward movement of said article relative to said carrier means, said carrier means having gripping means and being movable along said guiding means under the force of weight of said article for gripping said article, and said guiding means and said gripping means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon relative movement between said carrier means and said guiding means to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with said article when said article engages and moves said carrier means, wherein said guiding means includes an opening for receiving said article, said gripping means includes means movable along at least one line of travel intersecting the line of travel of said article when said article is received within said opening and said cam surfaces are operative for moving said last-mentioned means along said intersecting line of travel into and out of gripping engagement with said article as said article is moved along its line of travel within said opening.

5. A device for retaining an article comprising guiding means, carrier means mounted for movement along said guiding means and engageable by said article to limit downward movement of said article relative to said carrier means, said carrier means having gripping means and being movable along said guiding means under the force of weight of said article for gripping said article, and said guiding means and said gripping means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon relative movement between said carrier means and said guiding means to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with said article when said article engages and moves said carrier means, wherein said guiding means is elongated, said carrier means has an elongated bore, and said carrier means is disposed at a lower end of said guiding means.

6. A device for retaining an elongated article comprising elongated guiding means having means for receiving said article therein, carrier means mounted on said guiding means engageable by said article and movable relative to said guiding means by the force of weight of said article when said article is received by said guiding means, means mounted on said carrier means for gripping said article and said gripping means and said guiding means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon movement of said carrier means relative to said guiding means under the force of weight of said article to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with said article.

7. A device for retaining an elongated article according to claim 6, wherein the carrier means comprises a carrier member upon which said article is seated when it is inserted in said guiding means and is movable along the line of travel of said article within said guiding means.

8. A device for retaining an elongated article according to claim 6, wherein said carrier means comprises a carrier member upon which said article is seated when it is inserted into said guiding means, and said carrier member is movable along the line of travel of said article and is yieldingly supported on said guiding means 9. A device for retaining an elongated article according to claim 6, wherein said carrier means is disposed at a lower end of said guiding means.

10. A device for retaining a drill stern comprising a casing member having an elongated bore for receiving a drill stem therein, a carrier member mounted in said bore engageable by such drill stem when such drill stem is received within said bore and movable in said bore under the force of weight of such drill stem, at least one gripping element mounted on said carrier member having a friction surface engageable in gripping relation with such drill stem received within said bore, said gripping element being mounted on said carrier member for pivotal movement in a plane intersecting the line of travel of such drill stem when received within said bore, and said casing member having a cam surface engageable by said gripping element operable to move said gripping element into gripping engagement with such drill stem when such drill stem is moved along its line of travel in said bore and engages said carrier member.

11. A device for retaining a drill stem according to claim 10, wherein the carrier member is yieldingly supported on said casing member for movement along the line of travel of such drill stem when such drill stem is inserted into said casing member.

12. A device for retaining a drill stem according to claim 10, wherein the casing member is provided with cam surfaces disposed at an angle relative to the plane of pivotal movement of said gripping element which are operative upon movement of said carrier member along the line of travel of such drill stem to pivot said gripping element and move the same into and out of gripping relation with such drill stem.

13. A device for retaining a drill stem according to claim 10, wherein the casing member is provided with cam surfaces disposed at an angle relative to the plane of pivotal movement of said gripping element which are operative upon movement of said carrier member along the line of travel of such drill stem to pivot said gripping element and move the same into and out of gripping relation with such drill stem and said carrier member is yieldingly supported on said casing member for movement along the line of travel of such drill stem when such drill stem is inserted into said casing member.

14. A device for retaining a drill stem according to claim 10, wherein the casing member is tubular having a closed lower end, the carrier member is axially movable within the casing member, said carrier member is seated on a spring member interposed between said carrier member and the closed end of said casing member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced gripping elements is provided, each of which is adapted to pivot in a plane normal to the axis of said casing member, and the casing member is provided with a plurality of cam surfaces disposed at angles relative to the planes of movement of said gripping elements, which cam surfaces are operative upon axial movement of said carrier member to pivot said gripping elements and move the same into and out of gripping relation with a drill stem engaging the carrier member.

15. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion comprising elongated guiding means for receiving such article therein, movable carrier means having gripping means and being disposed in an upper end of said guiding means for gripping such article, said movable carrier means having an opening for receiving a lower enlarged end portion and said reduced intermediate portion of such elongated article therethrough, retractable support means mounted on said movable carrier means engageable with an upper enlarged end portion of such article for supporting such article in said guiding means, means for retracting said support means, said gripping means and said guiding means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon predetermined relative movement between said movable carrier means and said guiding means to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with such article and said predetermined relative movement being effected by the force of weight of such article acting on said movable carrier means when such article engages said support means.

16. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 15, including means for retaining said supporting means mounted on said movable carrier means in the retracted position.

17. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 15, wherein said guiding means includes an elongated bore in which said carrier means is mounted and for receiving such article, said gripping means includes means movable along at least one line of travel intersecting the line of travel of such article when such article is received within said elongated bore and said cam surfaces are operative for moving said last mentioned means along said intersecting line of travel into and out of gripping engagement with such article as such article is supported on said carrier means and is moved along its line of travel within said elongated bore.

18. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion comprising elongated guiding means for receiving such article therein, movable carrier means disposed in an upper end of said guiding means, said movable carrier means having an opening for receiving a lower enlarged end portion and the reduced intermediate portion of such elongated article therethrough, retractable support means mounted on said movable carrier means engageable with an upper enlarged end portion of such article for supporting such article in said guiding means, means for retracting said support means, gripping means mounted on said movable carrier means for gripping such article when such article is supported on the supporting means of said movable means, said gripping means and said guiding means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon movement of said movable carrier means relative to said guiding means under the force of weight of such article to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with such article.

19. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced elongated intermediate portion comprising a casing member having an elongated bore for receiving a drill stem therein, a movable carrier member mounted in an upper end of said elongated bore having an opening therein for receiving a lower enlarged portion and the reduced intermediate portion of a drill stem therethrough, retractable support means mounted on said carrier member engageable with an upper enlarged end portion of such drill stem for supporting such drill stem in said elongated bore of said casing member, means for retracting said support means, at least one gripping element mounted on said carrier member having a friction surface engageable in gripping relation with such drill stem received within said elongated bore, said gripping element being pivotally mounted on said carrier member for pivotal movement in a plane intersecting the line of travel of such drill stem when received within said elongated bore, and said casing member having a cam surface engageable by said gripping element operable to move said gripping element into and out of gripping engagement with such drill stem when such drill stem is moved along its line of travel in the elongated bore of said casing member and engages the support means of said carrier member.

20. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, including means for retaining said support means in the retracted position.

21. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, wherein the carrier member is yieldingly supported on said casing member for movement along the line of travel of such drill stem when such drill stem is inserted into said casing member.

22. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, wherein the casing member is provided with cam surfaces disposed at an angle relative to the plane of pivotal movement of said gripping element which are operative upon movement of said carrier member along the line of travel of such drill stem to pivot sad gripping element and move the same into and out of gripping relation with such drill stem and said carrier member is yieldingly supported on said casing member for movement along the line of travel of such drill stem when such drill stem is inserted into said casing member.

23. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, wherein the casing member is tubular, the movable carrier member is axially movable within the casing member, said carrier member is seated on a spring member seated on a portion of said casing member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced gripping elements are provided, each of which are adapted to pivot in a plane normal to the axis of said casing member, and the casing member is provided with a plurality of cam surfaces disposed at angles relative to the planes of movement of said gripping elements which are operative upon axial movement of said carrier member to pivot said gripping elements and move the same into and out of gripping relation with a drill stern engaging the supporting means of said carrier member.

24. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced retractable support means are provided, each of which is disposed at an angle relative to a plane normal to the axis of said casing member and is engageable with a shoulder of such drill stern provided between the reduced intermediate portion and the enlarged upper end portion thereof to support such drill stern in suspension within said elongated bore of said casing member.

25. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 24, including means for retaining said support means in the retracted position.

26. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 24, wherein the opening in said carrier member is circular having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the enlarged end portions of such drill stem and said support means of said carrier member are retractable sufficiently to permit a lower enlarged end portion of such drill stem to pass through the opening in said carrier member, and extensible sufficiently to engage the shoulder provided between the reduced intermediate portion and an upper enlarged end portion of such drill stem to support such drill stern in suspension within said elongated bore of said casing member.

27. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion comprising guiding means for receiving such article therein, movable carrier means having gripping means and being disposed in said guiding means for gripping such article, said movable carrier means having an opening for receiving a lower enlarged end portion and the reduced intermediate portion of such elongated article therethrough, retractable support means mounted on said movable carrier means engageable with an upper enlarged end portion of such article for supporting such article in said guiding means, means for retracting said support means, and said gripping means and said guiding means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon predetermined relative movement between said carrier means and said guiding means to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with such article.

28. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 27, including means for retaining said support means mounted on said gripping means in the retracted position.

29. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 27, wherein said gripping means includes means movable along at least one line of travel intersecting the line of travel of such article when such article is received within said guiding means and said cam surfaces are operative for moving said last mentioned means along said intersecting line of travel into and out of gripping engagement with such article as such article is supported on said carrier means and is moved along its line of travel. 

1. A device for gripping an article and holding it against rotation comprising a supporting structure, carrier means carried by said supporting structure for receiving said article, antirotational gripping means carried on and movable relative to said carrier means, guiding means disposed to allow and restrict movement of the carrier means under the force of weight of said article along a predetermined path relative to the supporting structure, means operative to move the gripping means relative to the carrier means into and out of gripping position responsive to said movement of said carrier means relative to said supporting structure, and means operatively connected to said carrier means and operative upon removal of such article from said device to move said carrier means to a position such that said gripping means are in a non-gripping position and to maintain said carrier means in such position while no article is engaged in the device.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which the said means for moving the gripping means into and out of gripping position are cam surfaces.
 3. The device of claim 1 in which the supporting structure comprises a vertically disposed tubular member, and in which the article to be gripped and held against rotation is a pipe.
 4. A device for retaining an article comprising guiding means, carrier means mounted for movement along said guiding means and engageable by said article to limit downward movement of said article relative to said carrier means, said carrier means having gripping means and being movable along said guiding means under the force of weight of said article for gripping said article, and said guiding means and said gripping means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon relative movement between said carrier means and said guiding means to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with said article when said article engages and moves said carrier means, wherein said guiding means includes an opening for receiving said article, said gripping means includes means movable along at least one line of travel intersecting the line of travel of said article when said article is received within said opening and said cam surfaces are operative for moving said last-mentioned means along said intersecting line of travel into and out of gripping engagement with said article as said article is moved along its line of travel within said opening.
 5. A device for retaining an article comprising guiding Means, carrier means mounted for movement along said guiding means and engageable by said article to limit downward movement of said article relative to said carrier means, said carrier means having gripping means and being movable along said guiding means under the force of weight of said article for gripping said article, and said guiding means and said gripping means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon relative movement between said carrier means and said guiding means to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with said article when said article engages and moves said carrier means, wherein said guiding means is elongated, said carrier means has an elongated bore, and said carrier means is disposed at a lower end of said guiding means.
 6. A device for retaining an elongated article comprising elongated guiding means having means for receiving said article therein, carrier means mounted on said guiding means engageable by said article and movable relative to said guiding means by the force of weight of said article when said article is received by said guiding means, means mounted on said carrier means for gripping said article and said gripping means and said guiding means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon movement of said carrier means relative to said guiding means under the force of weight of said article to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with said article.
 7. A device for retaining an elongated article according to claim 6, wherein the carrier means comprises a carrier member upon which said article is seated when it is inserted in said guiding means and is movable along the line of travel of said article within said guiding means.
 8. A device for retaining an elongated article according to claim 6, wherein said carrier means comprises a carrier member upon which said article is seated when it is inserted into said guiding means, and said carrier member is movable along the line of travel of said article and is yieldingly supported on said guiding means.
 9. A device for retaining an elongated article according to claim 6, wherein said carrier means is disposed at a lower end of said guiding means.
 10. A device for retaining a drill stem comprising a casing member having an elongated bore for receiving a drill stem therein, a carrier member mounted in said bore engageable by such drill stem when such drill stem is received within said bore and movable in said bore under the force of weight of such drill stem, at least one gripping element mounted on said carrier member having a friction surface engageable in gripping relation with such drill stem received within said bore, said gripping element being mounted on said carrier member for pivotal movement in a plane intersecting the line of travel of such drill stem when received within said bore, and said casing member having a cam surface engageable by said gripping element operable to move said gripping element into gripping engagement with such drill stem when such drill stem is moved along its line of travel in said bore and engages said carrier member.
 11. A device for retaining a drill stem according to claim 10, wherein the carrier member is yieldingly supported on said casing member for movement along the line of travel of such drill stem when such drill stem is inserted into said casing member.
 12. A device for retaining a drill stem according to claim 10, wherein the casing member is provided with cam surfaces disposed at an angle relative to the plane of pivotal movement of said gripping element which are operative upon movement of said carrier member along the line of travel of such drill stem to pivot said gripping element and move the same into and out of gripping relation with such drill stem.
 13. A device for retaining a drill stem according to claim 10, wherein the casing member is provided with cam surfaces disposed at an angle relative to the plane of pivotal movement of said gripping element which are operative upon movement of said carrier member along the line of travel of such drill stem to pivot said gripping element and move the same into and out of gripping relation with such drill stem and said carrier member is yieldingly supported on said casing member for movement along the line of travel of such drill stem when such drill stem is inserted into said casing member.
 14. A device for retaining a drill stem according to claim 10, wherein the casing member is tubular having a closed lower end, the carrier member is axially movable within the casing member, said carrier member is seated on a spring member interposed between said carrier member and the closed end of said casing member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced gripping elements is provided, each of which is adapted to pivot in a plane normal to the axis of said casing member, and the casing member is provided with a plurality of cam surfaces disposed at angles relative to the planes of movement of said gripping elements, which cam surfaces are operative upon axial movement of said carrier member to pivot said gripping elements and move the same into and out of gripping relation with a drill stem engaging the carrier member.
 15. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion comprising elongated guiding means for receiving such article therein, movable carrier means having gripping means and being disposed in an upper end of said guiding means for gripping such article, said movable carrier means having an opening for receiving a lower enlarged end portion and said reduced intermediate portion of such elongated article therethrough, retractable support means mounted on said movable carrier means engageable with an upper enlarged end portion of such article for supporting such article in said guiding means, means for retracting said support means, said gripping means and said guiding means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon predetermined relative movement between said movable carrier means and said guiding means to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with such article and said predetermined relative movement being effected by the force of weight of such article acting on said movable carrier means when such article engages said support means.
 16. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 15, including means for retaining said supporting means mounted on said movable carrier means in the retracted position.
 17. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 15, wherein said guiding means includes an elongated bore in which said carrier means is mounted and for receiving such article, said gripping means includes means movable along at least one line of travel intersecting the line of travel of such article when such article is received within said elongated bore and said cam surfaces are operative for moving said last mentioned means along said intersecting line of travel into and out of gripping engagement with such article as such article is supported on said carrier means and is moved along its line of travel within said elongated bore.
 18. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion comprising elongated guiding means for receiving such article therein, movable carrier means disposed in an upper end of said guiding means, said movable carrier means having an opening for receiving a lower enlarged end portion and the reduced intermediate portion of such elongated article therethrough, retractable support means mounted on said movable carrier means engageable with an upper enlarged end portion of such article for supporting such article in said guiding means, means for retracting said support means, gripping means mounted on said movable carrier means for gripping such article when such article is supported on the sUpporting means of said movable means, said gripping means and said guiding means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon movement of said movable carrier means relative to said guiding means under the force of weight of such article to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with such article.
 19. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced elongated intermediate portion comprising a casing member having an elongated bore for receiving a drill stem therein, a movable carrier member mounted in an upper end of said elongated bore having an opening therein for receiving a lower enlarged portion and the reduced intermediate portion of a drill stem therethrough, retractable support means mounted on said carrier member engageable with an upper enlarged end portion of such drill stem for supporting such drill stem in said elongated bore of said casing member, means for retracting said support means, at least one gripping element mounted on said carrier member having a friction surface engageable in gripping relation with such drill stem received within said elongated bore, said gripping element being pivotally mounted on said carrier member for pivotal movement in a plane intersecting the line of travel of such drill stem when received within said elongated bore, and said casing member having a cam surface engageable by said gripping element operable to move said gripping element into and out of gripping engagement with such drill stem when such drill stem is moved along its line of travel in the elongated bore of said casing member and engages the support means of said carrier member.
 20. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, including means for retaining said support means in the retracted position.
 21. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, wherein the carrier member is yieldingly supported on said casing member for movement along the line of travel of such drill stem when such drill stem is inserted into said casing member.
 22. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, wherein the casing member is provided with cam surfaces disposed at an angle relative to the plane of pivotal movement of said gripping element which are operative upon movement of said carrier member along the line of travel of such drill stem to pivot sad gripping element and move the same into and out of gripping relation with such drill stem and said carrier member is yieldingly supported on said casing member for movement along the line of travel of such drill stem when such drill stem is inserted into said casing member.
 23. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, wherein the casing member is tubular, the movable carrier member is axially movable within the casing member, said carrier member is seated on a spring member seated on a portion of said casing member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced gripping elements are provided, each of which are adapted to pivot in a plane normal to the axis of said casing member, and the casing member is provided with a plurality of cam surfaces disposed at angles relative to the planes of movement of said gripping elements which are operative upon axial movement of said carrier member to pivot said gripping elements and move the same into and out of gripping relation with a drill stem engaging the supporting means of said carrier member.
 24. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 19, wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced retractable support means are provided, each of which is disposed at an angle relative to a plane normal to the axis of said casing member and is engageable with a shouLder of such drill stem provided between the reduced intermediate portion and the enlarged upper end portion thereof to support such drill stem in suspension within said elongated bore of said casing member.
 25. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 24, including means for retaining said support means in the retracted position.
 26. A device for retaining a drill stem having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 24, wherein the opening in said carrier member is circular having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the enlarged end portions of such drill stem and said support means of said carrier member are retractable sufficiently to permit a lower enlarged end portion of such drill stem to pass through the opening in said carrier member, and extensible sufficiently to engage the shoulder provided between the reduced intermediate portion and an upper enlarged end portion of such drill stem to support such drill stem in suspension within said elongated bore of said casing member.
 27. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion comprising guiding means for receiving such article therein, movable carrier means having gripping means and being disposed in said guiding means for gripping such article, said movable carrier means having an opening for receiving a lower enlarged end portion and the reduced intermediate portion of such elongated article therethrough, retractable support means mounted on said movable carrier means engageable with an upper enlarged end portion of such article for supporting such article in said guiding means, means for retracting said support means, and said gripping means and said guiding means having interengageable cam surfaces operable upon predetermined relative movement between said carrier means and said guiding means to move said gripping means into gripping engagement with such article.
 28. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 27, including means for retaining said support means mounted on said gripping means in the retracted position.
 29. A device for retaining an elongated article having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion according to claim 27, wherein said gripping means includes means movable along at least one line of travel intersecting the line of travel of such article when such article is received within said guiding means and said cam surfaces are operative for moving said last mentioned means along said intersecting line of travel into and out of gripping engagement with such article as such article is supported on said carrier means and is moved along its line of travel. 